White Plains CitizeNetReporter - <i>Adam In Albany:</i> Calls for Wireless 911 Improvements Fund with Surcharge

WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By 89th District Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. February 23, 2003: On January 24, 2003, four teenage boys disappeared after their boat sank in Long Island Sound. One of the boys desperately dialed 911, but he was unable to describe their location to potential rescuers. Worse yet, the tragedy could have been avoided.

Since 1991, New York cell phone wpcnr_users have paid more than $200 million in surcharges – currently between $1.20 and $1.50 on top of their monthly bill. These surcharges specifically established for a statewide 911 emergency telephone communications system. Unfortunately, the money hasn’t been going to its intended purpose. In fact, a 2002 audit of the E911 fund by the state comptroller criticized the use of the fund, citing spending on expenses like dry cleaning, travel and lawn mowing.

That’s why I’m strongly supporting legislation to help localities make life-saving improvements to local 911 systems – enabling local emergency dispatch centers to pinpoint emergency calls from wireless phones (A.3911). It’s wrong that New Yorkers are paying for, but going without, life-saving technology that they have invested in.

The Wireless 911 Local Incentive Funding Enhancement – or LIFE – program will end years of inaction in upgrading 911 by providing funding directly to local emergency dispatch centers. The program builds on the Assembly’s measure last year – setting aside $20 million in surcharges to help localities fund the system’s implementation.

Many people bought their wireless phones in order to have then available in case of an emergency, and most assume that a 911 operator will be able to trace their location – just like the boys on Long Island Sound. We know the technology does exist. Now it’s time for the governor to implement New York’s local 911 systems so we can prevent another unnecessary, tragic incident.

We need to do everything possible to keep our families safe, and that means seeing to it that money set aside for enhancing New York’s 911 systems actually goes toward ensuring the safety of New York’s families – it’s a matter of saving precious lives.

Note: Adam In Albany is the weekly WPCNR column written for us by White Plains own Adam Bradley, Assemblyman, talking about issues he is facing in "The Big A."


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